US3886887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for controlling the position of a floating vessel
Assignee: UK Secretary of State for Defence
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Filing: 1973-02-05
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1993-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling the position of a floating vessel consisting of propulsion apparatus capable of moving the vessel, a logic device controlling the propulsion apparatus, and position detecting apparatus for providing output signals related to any algebraic difference(s) between the actual position and heading of the vessel and the required position and heading in relation to a reference datum, arranged so that output signals are fed from the position detecting apparatus to the logic device to cause the logic device to control the propulsion apparatus whereby the position of the vessel is altered in such a manner that the algebraic difference(s) is reduced in magnitude.
Inventors
- 👤 Sinclair Upton Cunningham
- 👤 Douglas Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:17
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B21/00; B63B2021/003; B63B2021/008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A system for controlling the position of a moored floating vessel comprising a reference datum fixed relative to the moorings of said vessel, propulsion means capable of moving the vessel, logic means controlling the propulsion means, and position detecting apparatus for providing output signals related to any difference(s) between the actual position and heading of the vessel and the required position and heading in relation to said reference datum, the position detecting apparatus including a base fixable to the vessel, on said base a head pivoted so as to be able to turn in two planes mutually at right angles, a first means for producing output signals related in sign and magnitude to any change in angle of the pivoted head from a predetermined angle in either said plane, a cord having a first end so located that the cord can be guided so as to pass through said pivoted head and having a second end adapted to be fixed to said reference datum means for maintaining said cord in tension whereby the pivoted head can turn in response to any change in angular direction of the cord therethrough, a second means for producing an ouptut signal related to the length of any portion of the cord lying at any time between the second end thereof and the pivoted head, and means for feeding said output signals from the position detecting apparatus to the logic means to cause said logic means to so control the propulsion means that the position of the vessel is altered in such a manner that the difference(s) is reduced in magnitude.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
266 words
A system for controlling the position of a moored floating vessel comprising a reference datum fixed relative to the moorings of said vessel, propulsion means capable of moving the vessel, logic means controlling the propulsion means, and position detecting apparatus for providing output signals related to any difference(s) between the actual position and heading of the vessel and the required position and heading in relation to said reference datum, the position detecting apparatus including a base fixable to the vessel, on said base a head pivoted so as to be able to turn in two planes mutually at right angles, a first means for producing output signals related in sign and magnitude to any change in angle of the pivoted head from a predetermined angle in either said plane, a cord having a first end so located that the cord can be guided so as to pass through said pivoted head and having a second end adapted to be fixed to said reference datum means for maintaining said cord in tension whereby the pivoted head can turn in response to any change in angular direction of the cord therethrough, a second means for producing an ouptut signal related to the length of any portion of the cord lying at any time between the second end thereof and the pivoted head, and means for feeding said output signals from the position detecting apparatus to the logic means to cause said logic means to so control the propulsion means that the position of the vessel is altered in such a manner that the difference(s) is reduced in magnitude.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
266 words
A system for controlling the position of a moored floating vessel comprising a reference datum fixed relative to the moorings of said vessel, propulsion means capable of moving the vessel, logic means controlling the propulsion means, and position detecting apparatus for providing output signals related to any difference(s) between the actual position and heading of the vessel and the required position and heading in relation to said reference datum, the position detecting apparatus including a base fixable to the vessel, on said base a head pivoted so as to be able to turn in two planes mutually at right angles, a first means for producing output signals related in sign and magnitude to any change in angle of the pivoted head from a predetermined angle in either said plane, a cord having a first end so located that the cord can be guided so as to pass through said pivoted head and having a second end adapted to be fixed to said reference datum means for maintaining said cord in tension whereby the pivoted head can turn in response to any change in angular direction of the cord therethrough, a second means for producing an ouptut signal related to the length of any portion of the cord lying at any time between the second end thereof and the pivoted head, and means for feeding said output signals from the position detecting apparatus to the logic means to cause said logic means to so control the propulsion means that the position of the vessel is altered in such a manner that the difference(s) is reduced in magnitude.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
266 words
A system for controlling the position of a moored floating vessel comprising a reference datum fixed relative to the moorings of said vessel, propulsion means capable of moving the vessel, logic means controlling the propulsion means, and position detecting apparatus for providing output signals related to any difference(s) between the actual position and heading of the vessel and the required position and heading in relation to said reference datum, the position detecting apparatus including a base fixable to the vessel, on said base a head pivoted so as to be able to turn in two planes mutually at right angles, a first means for producing output signals related in sign and magnitude to any change in angle of the pivoted head from a predetermined angle in either said plane, a cord having a first end so located that the cord can be guided so as to pass through said pivoted head and having a second end adapted to be fixed to said reference datum means for maintaining said cord in tension whereby the pivoted head can turn in response to any change in angular direction of the cord therethrough, a second means for producing an ouptut signal related to the length of any portion of the cord lying at any time between the second end thereof and the pivoted head, and means for feeding said output signals from the position detecting apparatus to the logic means to cause said logic means to so control the propulsion means that the position of the vessel is altered in such a manner that the difference(s) is reduced in magnitude.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said first means includes a first potentiometer driven by the pivoted head which can give an electrical output signal related to the angular direction of the pivoted head in a horizontal plane and a second potentiometer driven by the pivoted head which can give an electrical output signal related to the angular direction of the pivoted head in a vertical plane, and said second means includes a third potentiometer driven by the cord which can give an electrical output signal related to the length of any portion of the cord lying at any time between the second end thereof and the pivoted head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the reference detum is attached to a jetty or buoys and the propulsion means consists of a number of cables linking the vessel and the jetty or buoys and a corresponding number of power winches which can heave or slack the respective cables in conformity with control signals from the logic means, whereby the actual position and heading of the vessel is brought to and maintained at the required relationship to the reference datum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system according to claim 1 in which the reference datum is attached to a jetty or buoys and the propulsion means comprises the main porpulsion machinery of a vessel having at least two independently controllable driving propellors or jets, said logic means controlling the propulsion means whereby the actual position and heading of the vessel is brought to and maintained at the required relationship to the reference datum.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |